A Very Special Marriage – Rick R. Reed and Bruce Moynagh tie the knot

Rick’s and Bruce’s romance touched me on so many levels. Rick did a post almost 18 months ago on the site that I absolutely loved called Writing Love Stories/Living Love Storiesin which he talked about how much he loved Bruce. I prayed that someday they would be able to legally wed and here’s the sequel to their romance, which is better than fiction:

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So yesterday, my now-husband, Bruce and I made history, both personal and on a much bigger stage. We shared our history-making day with many, many other couples in our state, all couples who were coming together for one reason—to commit themselves to one another in love and marriage.

Legal Marriage.

Ready to exchange rings

See, Bruce and I wed on the first day marriage became legal in Washington state. This alone is significant, what’s even more significant is the fact that this was the first time in US history that same-sex couples were able to do this because the ability to marry had been voted in by a majority, a popular vote, thwarting those who proposed a referendum that existed for division, prejudice, and discrimination. Love does triumph.

But this little piece isn’t really about major societal changes or the tide turning toward what is now called “gay marriage,” and what I believe will one day simply be called “marriage.” No, it’s about waking up this morning and saying to Bruce, “I feel different today. Do you?”

And he agreed. Because our small wedding yesterday—and our entering into such a solemn and loving commitment—was a sea change in our lives. Even though we have been together for more than a decade and we have seen each other through good times and bad, sickness and health, and all the other assorted things we call life that committed couples endure and celebrate together, we could never call ourselves married. Not really, not without some modification, like “in our hearts” which is significant indeed, but it does not change the fact that, up until yesterday, saying we were married or calling each other husband seemed a bit like playacting.

Lily – very happy for her daddies

But now we are married—for real, witnessed by dear friends, and celebrated, thanks to the wonder of social media, far and wide. And things now feel more contented, more settled, more real. Of course, I love Bruce with all my heart and have always done so, but maybe, just a little, I feel more like we are a family since we took that emotional step yesterday when we slid rings on our fingers, said our “I wills” and kissed as our friend, an ordained minister, pronounced us married in front of our fireplace with our Boston terrier, Lily sitting at our feet, and our friends nearby, alternately weeping and smiling.

Our friend Bruce, an ordained UCC minister, was kind enough to marry us (to each other)

It was a big moment and one that will take a while to fully process. But for now, let’s just say I can look at the future with a bit more hope, my heart a bit more grounded, my hands joined with a man who I know will be my best friend, my partner, my lover, my everything, for the rest of my days.

Married.

In lieu of vows, I found a poem by Roy Croft called “Love” that I believe so perfectly summed up what I felt and am feeling that I wanted to share it with Bruce over any traditional wedding vows.

In closing, I would like to leave you with that poem, and my sincere hope that you may find or have someone in your life to be able to think of when you hear these words. Because, that my friend, is all that really matters.

Love by Roy Croft

I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find
I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.

And, just so you know, Bruce and I are planning a big celebration in late summer/early fall (when the weather in Seattle is actually gorgeous), so there’s an epilogue I’ll add to this story late in 2013.

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Rick R. Reed Biography

My favourite Rick & Bruce photo

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a two-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.” Rick lives in Seattle with his partner and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever “at work on another novel.”

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I wanted to add my few words of congratulations for, and blessings on, your marriage. If my comment multiplies your happiness, then your happiness graces the world, the one in which we all live and which seems so sorely in need of both love and happiness. My best wishes to your and your husband.

To Rick and Bruce, Congratulations! The news of your marriage means something a little extra to me, as I worked my tail off for weeks making calls into Washington state in support of marriage equality. It was hard, because the phone list from Washington United for Marriage was wide open in the beginning especially, and I talked to my fair share of very closed-minded people, but I also talked to many supporters. I was euphoric about Maryland, Maine, and Minnesota on election day, but of course we had to wait just a little longer to get the news out of Washington state. And now the tangible result of the efforts of many people over the years: your wedding. I was *so* happy to read your post. Here’s to the day when this is everyday news, but since it isn’t yet, I celebrate your happiness with a great big grin!

Jenna…thank you so much for that hard work. Because of you, and people like you, we were able to marry, something we thought we’d never be able to do. Like you, I pray for the day when gay people getting married is special to them, but nothing newsworthy.

Rick, I’m so happy for you and Bruce, and for every brand-new happily married couple in Washington state right now! It’s about damn time. You know I heart you like crazy and next time I see you I’m giving you a much belated congratulatory hug and buying you a glass of champagne! :biglove:

After living together, we felt that at that point we were ready to enter the next phase of our relationship, that until then we’d be stuck in a rut instead of progressing. Congratulations on being able to move into the next level of togetherness. I’m so happy for both of you! May your love continue to grow and be as comfortable as a down duvet for your souls.